Modernism 1920 - 1950

Influences Modernism in design and architecture emerged in the aftermath of the First World War and the Russian Revolution A period when the artistic avant-garde dreamed of a new world free of conflict, greed and social inequality.

Rationale It was not a style but a loose collection of ideas. Many different styles can be characterised as Modernist. All shared certain underlying principles: a rejection of history and applied ornament; a preference for abstraction; belief that design and technology could transform society.

Utopia At the core of Modernism lay the idea that the world had to be fundamentally rethought. The carnage of the First World War led to widespread utopian fervour. A belief that the human condition could be healed by new approaches to art and design – more spiritual, more sensual, or more rational.

Furniture This tubular steel chair followed the basic lines of Gropius' Bauhaus concept, according to which each object should fulfil its practical function, be long-lasting, cheap, good-looking, and also well-suited as a prototype for industrial production.

Household objects Straightforward vessels reduced to elementary forms in brass, nickel-plated brass or silver were produced. These were conceived for industrial serial production, but produced only as single pieces or in handcrafted series.

Buildings Architecture must be based on scientific facts. Major priority is given to the functionality of a building in the most practical sense. Any elaboration of a design must therefore be preceded by research on the usage, from which the building program should be developed with scientific precision; The optimization of all necessary requirements has priority over artistic considerations;